Wayne McBean

Wayne McBean was a talented offensive defenceman who had pro scouts raving when he was a teenager. In the end, he was an NHL journeyman for seven years whose impact as a pro was not substantial.

The native of Calgary, Alberta was a junior standout with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers where accumulated 85 assists over three years. He was chosen 4th overall by the Los Angeles Kings at the 1987 Entry Draft. McBean’s mobility and passing helped Medicine Hat win two straight Memorial Cups in 1987 and 1988. In 1987, he was named to the WHL East first all-star team and the Memorial Cup all-star team and was the recipient of the Stafford Smythe Memorial trophy as the tournament MVP. The talented blueliner also helped Canada win its second World Junior Championship in 1988.

Late in the 1987-88 season, McBean played 27 games for the Kings but registered only one assist and struggled defensively. After an inconsistent start the next season, he was part of the package sent to the New York Islanders for goalie Kelly Hrudey. Over the next five years, he showed flashes of talent in New York but also spent a fair bit of time in the AHL. The Isles gave up on McBean in February 1994 when he was shipped to the Winnipeg Jets. A wrist injury forced him to retire before he was able to see any game action in 1994-95.